Schellville undergoing major expansion
With opening night for Schellville’s Enchanted Winter Celebration about six weeks away, construction workers and decoration designers have been busy for weeks getting the Christmas wonderland ready for its 28-night season. And the 2022 season will bring some major upgrades and additions to the popular holiday destination. The expansion will allow for 30% to 40% more people to attend.
This year’s beneficiary, Beebe Healthcare, will receive 10% of proceeds from artisans’ sales and food and drink vendors. The Harry K Foundation, last year’s beneficiary, was presented with a check for $100,000 following the event.
Chris Schell, who grew up in northern New Jersey and California, and spent many vacations and summers visiting relatives in the Lewes area, said the project is a labor of love. He is CEO of Schell Brothers.
“I’ve always been into Christmas, and some of my best memories involved being around here for the holidays,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to re-create those feelings as an adult.”
Schellville started as a Christmas village with miniature handcrafted houses as part of Winter WonderFest in 2017. “It just ballooned from there,” he said. “We found this spot, and marketing director Alyssa Titus went crazy. It’s been worth every penny to find that Christmas magic.”
Titus, who is the driving force behind Schellville, said she in the process of scheduling the 80 volunteers needed each night.
Included in the improvements is a retro-arcade room, an expanded Snow Zone with playground equipment, 28 snow machines blowing snow every 15 minutes, a 30-foot- tall tubing/sledding hill, new fire pits, more artisans’ shops, a large children’s area, a letter tube for express mail to Santa, new restrooms, more rental skates, a new and improved train and paved track, a boardwalk to improve access, an outdoor bar sponsored by The Starboard, new wooden trees, and more food and drink options in the Magic Maze, including Dogfish Head Brewery and Dewey Beer Co.
Those are being added to Schellville’s existing features that include live music, food and drink, a 100-by-200-foot skating rink, 1,000 live trees, visits to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, Revelation Craft Brewing Co. Beer Garden, Magic Maze of Merriment, Frosty’s food trucks and La Vida Hospitality’s tent. And, of course, the miniature houses.
Schell said he has a lease on the land for the next three years. ”We will try to work with Tanger to make this permanent,” he said. “They love having it here and want us to expand to other Tanger Outlet locations.”
Schellville is located at 36470 Seaside Outlet Drive behind Tanger Outlets Seaside off Route 1 near Rehoboth Beach.
There is no admission fee. Go to schellbrothers.com/promotions/schellville for more information.
Schellville will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., Nov. 19-20, Nov. 25-27, Dec. 1-4, Dec. 8-11, Dec. 15-23, and Dec. 26-31.
Early bird and seniors’ hours are 2 to 4:30 p.m., with limited attractions.
